Stanley Campbell

Mid Ulster District Council has revealed details of a car parking Christmas scheme for shoppers, with parking reduced to 10p for the first 3 hours in every pay and display car park in Dungannon.

The special price promotion will run in both Dungannon and Magherafelt pay and display car parks for a period of six weeks from Saturday 26 November to Saturday 7 January and represents an investment of more than £23K in the town centres.

Chair of the Council, Councillor Trevor Wilson, feels the promotion will provide a huge boost to town centre trade at one of the busiest times of the year.

He said, “Providing accessible car parking, both in terms of cost and convenience, is a major influencing factor in attracting people into our town centres. The fact that we are providing three hours of parking for just 10p is a fantastic incentive which will entice people into our towns during one of the busiest trading periods!”

Explaining why a nominal fee was being charged, he said:“Past experience shows that when car parking goes from being charged to free, then the most convenient spaces closest to the main commercial trading area can be taken early in the morning by ‘all day parkers’ to the disadvantage of visitors and shoppers.

“The very small tariff balances the need to make our town centre car parks attractive, while ensuring that vital car parking spaces are available”.

The 10p for the first 3 hours parking in all pay and display car parks in Dungannon and Magherafelt begins on Saturday 26 November and ends on Saturday 7 January. Off street car parking in Cookstown town centre is free of charge.

Normal parking charges will apply after the 3 hours.

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